iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Family Review
The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 rooftop tent has been a highlight in our family’s camping journey, offering a great balance of comfort and convenience that aligns beautifully with our outdoor adventures. In the review below, we share what we love about this tent—from its spacious design and quick setup to its adaptability across various terrains and weather conditions. The iKamper has been an indispensable part of our camping experiences, helping us create countless cherished memories.
What Led Us to Our iKamper Purchase
After welcoming our second child, our camping setup needed an upgrade. Squeezing all four of us onto a homemade platform—slightly smaller than a full-size mattress—in the back of our third-generation 4Runner proved challenging. Transitioning to a standard ground tent offered more space, but we never particularly enjoyed the pitching process. Finding and clearing a flat area large enough for the tent was tedious, and securing stakes in the rocky terrain of the Southwest was often difficult.
A bit of research led us to the rooftop tent. What a genius concept! With so many options on the market, choosing the right one took some careful consideration. We quickly ruled out a soft-shell tent. While they’re easier on the wallet, we had heard too many stories about frustrating setup and takedown—exactly what we aimed to avoid. Hardshell rooftop tents, on the other hand, were praised for their simplicity and efficiency. Many reviews raved about the easy-breezy setup and takedown processes. Our logic was simple: if it’s easier to use, we’ll use it more!
The next challenge was picking the right hardshell tent. We needed something spacious enough to fit all four of us comfortably, which directed us to two contenders: the Roofnest Condor 2 XL and the iKamper Skycamp 3.0. The Roofnest had a price advantage, but with interior dimensions of 89″L x 68″W, it was longer yet narrower than the iKamper, which measured 82 ¾”L x 77 ¼”W. We decided to prioritize width for a comfortable fit, even if it meant spending a little extra money.
Our Decision to Purchase from REI
We chose to buy our iKamper Skycamp 3.0 from REI for several reasons:
- Free Shipping to Store: Having the tent shipped directly to our local REI store incurred no additional cost.
- Member Benefits: By utilizing our REI Co-op membership and REI credit card, we received a 10% annual dividend on the purchase and an additional 5% back from credit card rewards. In total, a 15% return on a purchase exceeding $4,000 was a substantial benefit!
- Assistance with Installation: The helpful staff at REI assisted us in mounting the iKamper onto our 4Runner upon its arrival, ensuring a secure and proper setup.
Initial Setup and Off-Gassing Period
Once installed, we eagerly opened the tent in our backyard to check it out. Although we would have like to sleep in right away, it had a very strong ‘new mattress’ odor. To mitigate this, we left the tent open to air out for a couple weeks before embarking on our first camping trip to the Uncompahgre Plateau in Western Colorado.
Our Experience After Numerous Family Adventures
Since that initial trip, our family of 4 (now 5) has spent over 50 nights in the iKamper. We can confidently say it was an excellent investment. Below, we’ve compiled a detailed list of features we appreciate about this tent:
1. Maintain Off-Road Capability
This aspect is important to us, as backroads are usually part of our planned and spontaneous camping trips. The iKamper’s design allowed us to maintain our vehicle’s off-road capabilities, providing significant flexibility during adventures. We could find campsites even when easily accessible ones were full, supporting our spontaneous and loosely scheduled trips without pre-booking many campsites.
This off-road capability proved invaluable on countless occasions. For instance, when campsites were full in Great Sand Dunes National Park, we ventured along Medano Pass Primitive Road to find dispersed camping. In the popular Crested Butte area, where dispersed sites fill up quickly, we often secured spots by driving further into the mountains. Toward the end of another overland adventure, we detoured off the pavement in Lake City, Colorado, and traversed Cinnamon Pass through the beautiful San Juan Mountains.
Beyond campsite accessibility, the 4×4 flexibility with the iKamper granted us access to numerous beautiful places unattainable with many other camping rigs, such as a pull-behind camper. Whether in the mountains, the San Rafael Swell, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, or other stunning locations, we’ve cherished the beauty and wonder, admired vast starry skies, and soaked in many awesome sunrises.
2. Versatile Window Design
The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 features a large front window, two side windows, and a signature Skyview window, each equipped with mesh and canvas layers. We enjoyed being able to customize the window setup to meet our needs:
- Open Fully: When the insects weren’t a concern, opening the windows fully made us feel more connected with nature. The airflow was excellent, the views were crystal clear, and even the birds sounded crisper. However, with young children in the tent, we remained cautious, as a fall from an open window would be significant.
- Mesh Layer: Keeping the mesh zipped provided a balance of safety and ventilation, allowing us to enjoy the surroundings without worrying about our little ones or bugs.
- Canvas Layer: Closing the canvas layer provided privacy, warmth, and darker sleeping conditions.
3. Blackout Capability
The iKamper blocks light surprisingly well! We were amazed at how dark the tent’s interior remains with all the canvas windows closed. Our children were able to sleep past sunrise, and the blackout capability prevented disturbances from any artificial lights during the night.
4. Stargazing
On clear nights with suitable temperatures, removing the rain cover and opening the windows provided lovely stargazing experiences. In areas free from light pollution, we enjoyed crisp views of the night sky while lying cozily in the tent. There is such wonder and amazement in those skies!
5. Comfortable in Various Temperatures.
The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 has proven to be a reliable shelter year-round, throughout all four seasons. We’ve camped in temperatures as low as 15°F with children aged 1 to 6, and everyone remained comfortable throughout the night. Closing the canvas window covers effectively retains heat, providing a cozy interior even in chilly conditions.
However, during hot days, the tent’s interior can become quite warm. We often used our tent during the day for naps, quiet time, or as a safe play area while preparing meals. On particularly hot days, we sought shade whenever possible and hoped for a gentle breeze to keep the interior comfortable.
6. Fast Setup and Takedown
The iKamper lives up to its reputation for quick deployment. We found that setting up the tent took approximately 2-3 minutes upon arriving at a campsite, and takedown was equally swift. This efficiency was invaluable during our overland adventures, especially when we needed to unpack and repack camp daily. The streamlined process also made it convenient to pack up the tent for quick trips into town for supplies or groceries.
7. Storage for Sleeping Gear
A notable feature of the iKamper is its ability to store bedding even when packed up for travel. We successfully stored the iKamper mattress, our pillows, two children’s sleeping bags, and one double sleeping bag inside the closed rooftop tent. This freed up considerable space in the back of our 4Runner, allowing us to bring additional items such as child carriers, bikes, or other accessories.
8. The Camping Feel
The iKamper struck a perfect balance between comfort and the authentic camping experience. Unlike closed-walled vans or RVs, the rooftop tent allowed us to feel connected to nature, preserving the essence of sleeping outdoors while providing shelter and security.
9. A Tree Fort Experience
Elevated off the ground, the tent offered a unique and enjoyable “tree fort” feel. This elevation added a sense of security compared to ground tents. However, it’s important to note the inherent risks associated with ladders, especially with young children. To enhance safety, we implemented the following precautions:
- Nighttime Convenience: We kept a toddler potty inside the tent during the night, eliminating the need to navigate the ladder in the dark for mid-night wee.
- Ladder Management: When the tent was unoccupied, we detached the ladder to prevent unsupervised access by our children.
10. Cozy for Four
The tent’s dimensions were ideal for our family of four, providing ample space for comfortable sleep. However, after welcoming our third child, the tent felt a bit cramped for five occupants, leading us to consider alternative camping solutions to accommodate our growing family.
A Bittersweet Farewell
As our family has grown to five, we’ve made the difficult decision to part with our beloved iKamper Skycamp 3.0. This tent has been integral to our family’s adventures, offering comfort, flexibility, and unforgettable experiences. While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye, we hope our experiences inspire others to embark on their own adventures with this remarkable rooftop tent.
Stay tuned for reviews of our next adventure rig – the Topo Toppers Rincon! We look forward to sharing our experiences with this new setup in the coming months.
